Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR) represents a promising strategy for the sustainable production of carbon-based feedstocks while enabling the valorization of captured CO₂ emissions. In particular, the selective conversion of CO₂ to carbon monoxide (CO) is of significant interest due to the role of CO as a key intermediate in several industrial processes, including syngas production and steelmaking applications.

This work presents the development and optimization of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA)-based electrochemical reactor for continuous CO₂-to-CO conversion under industrially relevant operating conditions. The system integrates a proprietary catalyst developed at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, with the aim of achieving high CO selectivity, low overpotential, and stable long-term performance.

The presentation will focus on the electrochemical characterization of the system, including the investigation of different electrolyte compositions and concentrations, and their influence on catalytic activity, selectivity, and cell performance. Particular attention is devoted to stability studies under continuous operation, evaluating performance degradation mechanisms and operational durability over extended testing periods.

In addition, the talk will discuss key challenges associated with scaling MEA-based CO₂ electrolyzers. The broader objective is to contribute to the development of scalable electrochemical technologies capable of coupling renewable electricity with carbon capture and utilization pathways for hard-to-abate sectors.